New Route That Follows Champlain's Historic Journey Will Travel Through BruceGreySimcoe

New 1,500 Kilometre Tourist Route Will Create Jobs and Boost Local Economies

Ontario is unveiling a new tourist route that will guide visitors on a path closely aligned to explorer Samuel de Champlain's historic journey through Ontario.

Marie-France Lalonde, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, was at the International Pavilion in Ottawa today to make the announcement on behalf of Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The Route Champlain will stretch over 1,500 kilometres and will shine the spotlight on Francophone culture and heritage. Highlights of the route will include:

Experiences that commemorate 400 years of the French presence in Ontario.

Places of remembrance and history directly related to Champlain.

The Route Champlain will open in 2018 and will introduce visitors to the Ontario communities along the journey that Champlain began in 1615. The route will also highlight local culture, heritage, culinary experiences and outdoor attractions.

Investing in opportunities for tourists to explore Ontario's history is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

Ontario is supporting the Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité de l’Ontario (RDÉE) to develop the Route Champlain. The province has invested $690,786 in the project.

There are over 600,000 Francophones in Ontario representing 4.8 per cent of the province's population – the largest Francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.

The Route Champlain will stretch across the province and include communities like Midland, Ottawa and North Bay.

The Tourism Action Plan and the Strategic Framework for Tourism in Ontario committed the government to support tourism experiences that showcase Ontario’s vibrant and diverse art, music and culinary scene, as well as preserve connections to our past.